Hurricane Earl updates

Given the current (5:00 pm) forecast for Williamsburg, the College will open at its usual time tomorrow and all classes will be held. The predicted wind strength has lessened slightly for the overnight hours, but we still recommend that you stay indoors during that time.

There is one addition to the information provided earlier today. The Rec Sports Center will open at 7:30 am tomorrow.

Thanks again for your cooperation.

Anna MartinChair, Emergency Management Team

Campus update: Sept. 2, 12:17 p.m.

The current weather forecast for Williamsburg predicts that the storm will reach our area late tonight with winds in the 40 mph range throughout the late night and morning hours. The forecast still indicates moderate rainfall associated with the storm. As with any storm of this kind, there is a high likelihood of power fluctuations and even loss.

In response to this forecast, we are taking the following steps:

• we will close all buildings except residence halls at 11:00 pm this evening; • we are asking all students to remain inside their residences between mid-night and 7:00 am;• we are asking faculty and staff to turn off computers and other equipment sensitive to fluctuations when departing campus this evening; and• we are asking that all research experiments requiring power be shut down. Anyone needing an exception to this request should contact Eric Bradley at x12220 or elbrad@wm.edu.

All essential personnel should report to work at 7:30 am tomorrow morning.

As of this update, we will open on time tomorrow morning and all classes will be held, the dining halls will open on time; and bus transportation will operate. We are continuing to monitor the situation and are prepared to make changes as needed.

The next update will be provided at 6:00 pm this evening. Please continue to monitor your email and voice mail.

We appreciate your cooperation as we weather this storm together. Be safe and take care of each other.

Anna MartinChair, Emergency Management Team

Campus update: Sept. 1, 2010

The College’s Emergency Management team is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl. The current forecast indicates that the Williamsburg area has about a 30%-40% chance of experiencing tropical force winds. Tropical force wind speed ranges from 40 mph up to 70 mph. These are expecting to arrive sometime in the early morning hours on Friday and are not predicted to be accompanied by heavy rainfall. The storm, as currently forecast, will start moving away from us about 6 AM on Friday with winds decreasing through the day. Working with local and state and federal jurisdictions, and given the current prediction, we believe it isn’t necessary to evacuate the area.

We have begun to prepare the campus for the storm and ask that you secure loose objects and close windows as the storm moves closer.

We will continue to update you on the storm as it progresses. This information can also be found on the College’s website.

One again, today’s test of the emergency notification system is just that – a test and is not related to the storm.